Posts Tagged by Scripps Institution
About Greg Mitchell, Contributor to “Renewable Energy Facts and Fantasies” – Scripps Institution, Algae
| August 1, 2010 | Posted by Craig Shields under Biomass |
Dr. Mitchell contibuted to the book’s chapter on algae as biofuel.
Fundamentally, the photosynthetic process reduces inorganic compounds like carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen, and phosphorous, and builds these biochemicals. Initially sugar, and then the sugar’s burned to build all sorts of other things, and nutrients are brought in and you build membranes with phosphorous and you build proteins with nitrogen and so forth. It is all ultimately derived out of the sunlight.
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Algae as Biofuel and Protein Source
| January 20, 2010 | Posted by Craig Shields under Biomass |
I’ve promised myself that I’ll no longer procrastinate on my book on renewables. In truth, I’ve been pretty good about conducting the interviews and sending them off for transcription. But the sheer volume of words to process and edit has been a bit hard for me to deal with, considering the travel and all the other things going on here. This morning after breakfast, I spend three solid hours going through one eight-page interview — and that’s only one of 25 or 30.
Fortunately, it’s deeply rewarding work. The interview in question was conducted a couple of months ago with the Scripps Institution’s Dr. Greg Mitchell, one of the world’s most well-respected researchers on algae. The process of reviewing his thoughts on the biology and economics surrounding the subject was a learning experience, and it re-enforced some of the themes that were common to a great number of these conversations.
In particular, the single most frequently voiced point is the lack of congruity between our political imperatives and our true needs as a civilization. For something to make sense to a politician, it needs to show demonstrable results in 2 – 3 years; if it doesn’t, he’ll be looking for another job. By contrast, most of the changes that we need to make as a society require a longer-term focus — at least 10, and in some cases 20+ years.
And algae may be the textbook example. Algae and cyanobacteria (photosynthetic bacteria) produce biomass 10 – 50 times more efficiently than any terrestrial plant: corn, soy beans, etc. If you look at the economics of algae, you’re going to get almost 40% biofuel molecules from the original biomass. And what’s the other half or so? It’s protein — that can be used to feed animals far for efficiently that the way we’re going about it today. The whole subject shows incredible promise.
But where are the jobs — today — for algae? How long would a politician last who suggested diverting funds into an area that didn’t offer massive amounts of employment in the very short term — especially in his home state?
It’s a very difficult situation, which, to me, gets back to campaign finance reform. Until we have leaders who can do what they think is right, we’ll continue to have boondoggles like bridges-to-nowhere, corn ethanol and other obvious rip-offs.
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Scripps Institution Speaks on Algae as Biofuel
| November 16, 2009 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Science |
I just spoke with Dr. Greg Mitchell of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as the basis for my book’s chapter on biofuels. Dr. Mitchell’s focus is on algae and cyanobacteria (a related photosynthetic, aquatic organism). He generously gave me a solid hour’s worth of proof-points that algae represents a critically important component in finding answers to civilization’s toughest questions on energy and food supply.
Biofuels store chemical energy that is ultimately derived from the energy of the sun. This potential energy is carried in carbon bonds that are then oxidized (burned) to produce useful work, e.g., heat energy to warm our buildings or kinetic energy to drive our vehicles. As an alternative to growing plants in sunlight, algae can be fed macronutrients, but the energy in those nutrients comes ultimately from the sun as well. Dr. Mitchell favors algae over other forms of cellulosic biofuels because “small is efficient”; a given amount of biomass in algae contains 10 – 50 times more energy than the same mass of terrestrial plants. About 35% of the mass in algae is converted directly into biofuel, and most of the rest becomes useable food.
As I’ve written in the past, I have been openly skeptical of the wisdom of biofuels, since they themselves are hydrocarbons. Why make and burn more of them if we’re concerned about CO2 in the atmosphere? Dr. Mitchell acknowledged the intuitive merit of this idea (or was just being kind?). But he points out that there is a lot to like about algae. Here are few points I hadn’t considered. Algae:
- does not require arable land for production
- is irrigated with salt water
- can photosynthesize using CO2 that comes from an external and controlled source
Dr. Mitchell showed me that there is enormous promise as this industry develops. The challenge at this point is a combination of the technological and the financial. Right now, in fact, there is indeed no industry — nor should there be, he says, while we take the time to pose and resolve a few basic and vitally important questions, e.g., the exact species to be developed, the methods of production and harvest, and the modes of processing and distribution.
Fascinating stuff. And more coming soon.
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2GreenEnergy Headed for Scripps
| November 13, 2009 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Science |
I must say that the process of interviewing subject-matter experts for my book on renewables is perfect for my temperment as a writer. I don’t aspire to be an authority on any one subject within the framework of renewable energy, but I certainly aspire to grasp fully the fundamental issues at stake in each, and to be able to learn from a good, engaging conversation. Thus it is with joy in my heart that I’ll be headed for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography next week for my interview with Dr. Veerabhadran Ramanathan. I’ll be speaking with a man, affectionately known as “Ram,” who is perhaps the most well-respected scientist on the subject of global climate change. In fact, his assistant told me that he is credited with discovering the phenomenon, correctly predicting in the early 1970s that there would be a measurable increase in the planet’s temperature by 1980. Unless something unforeseen takes place, the full transcript of the interview will occupy an important chapter.
In any case, the process of preparing for these interviews forces me to read and digest short but pithy articles like this one, and to familiarize myself with the nomenclature associated with the key issues. For instance, we all recall from Al Gore’s movie the cooling phenomenon of certain pollutants, which, when they are removed from the atmosphere, will actually increase global warming. This is known as AMGW, or aerosol mask global warming. Of course, there are dozens of such concepts into which to sink one’s teeth. I would say this would be unbridled fun, if it weren’t for the tragic circumstances and the severity of the consequences.
